Readmission of Morocco in AU

As of today, all of African Sovereign countries are members of the African Union. The only country which was not member of this body was Morocco, which has left its predecessor OAU (Organisation of African Unity) in 1984 due to political reasons which we have discussed in this article. In the 28th Summit of AU held in Addis Ababa in January 2017, Morocco has been readmitted to the African Union. For last few years, Morocco was making a lot of diplomatic efforts for re-entry. India had also made some efforts and can be partially credited for the readmission of Morocco in AU.

Background

The Kingdom of Morocco is located in North-Western Africa and shares a long border on the Atlantic coastline, that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. It is located in the so called Maghreb region of Africa and shares its borders with the so called “Barbary Coast” which makes coats of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.  Its capital is Rabat but most famous city is Marakkesh, due to which, sometimes Morocco itself is called Marakkesh in Arabic and Urdu usage. The country had got its freedom from France in 1956.

From 1884 to 1975, a part of Western Sahara region was under the colonial rule of Spain. In the wake of decolonization, Spain had to leave its Saharan possessions due to demands raised by Morocco and pressure from UN resolution. As soon as Spanish left, there was a conflict over territories of Western Sahara. In 1975, Morocco occupied most part of its territory but then a group called Polisario Front started Guerrilla war ageist Morocco for establishing a sovereign Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Though most territory was still under Morocco, the OAU in 1984 voted in favour of Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Thus, in protest, Morocco left OAU and subsequently remained out of AU when it replaced the former.

Diplomatic Efforts

We note that the conflict between Morocco and Polisario Front is still going on and is commonly referred as Western Sahara Conflict. However, as of nowthe conflict is mainly made of unarmed civil campaigns of the Polisario Front and their self-proclaimed SADR state to gain fully recognized independence for Western Sahara. One of the bye product of the conflict are Sahrawi refugees, which in tens of thousands in number, have flocked to Algeria and other countries. Algeria and South Africa believe that Moroccan occupation of SADR is nothing but neo-colonialism and they support the struggle of Sahrawi people against Morocco. Both of these countries were against the readmission of Morocco but diplomatic efforts by the Moroccan King and officers was finally successful. In recent years, Morocco has focussed on its relations with the Western African and Francophone countries. Its companies have followed an aggressive going out policy and invested in many African countries. Morocco had also recently announced a joint venture with Nigeria to build a pipeline from Niger delta to run under Atlantic coast and supply gas to many countries in West Africa. These are some of the reasons that the Western African Francophone countries such as Gabon, Chad, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire etc. have been sympathetic to Morocco’s stance.

Apart from this, there is a political angle also. Many countries would want Morocco to balance the influence of heavyweight Algeria in the region.

Implications for AU

Morocco’s return to AU will help in bolstering unity and will be a big push for continental cooperation. Morocco is a top African economy and its return to AU will be an asset to it. Morocco has been fighting Islamic extremism and is at the fore-front of championing South-South cooperation in the areas of agriculture, education, healthcare, environment protection etc.

India’s Role

India has not only made some efforts but also wholeheartedly supported the inclusion of Morocco in AU. India invited all African nations including Morocco to the Third India-Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in 2015. The Summit and the role of Indian interlocutors had resulted in Morocco’s eventual return to AU. Morocco’s inclusion into the AU has given India a strong ally in Africa. It is expected to open up new opportunities for trade and investments.

Morocco’s significance

Morocco has one of the most extensive phosphate resources in the world. The other countries which have similar extensive levels of resource are China and US. Phosphates are critical for agriculture sector as they are used in the production of fertilizers. Since, China is not a reliable partner, Morocco can be an alternative partner. Morocco can also be a market for Indian automobiles and pharmaceutical products.

Second, given India’s ambitions to obtain a permanent seat on the Unites Nations Security Council, Africa India needs to ally with all African nations. Also with increasing Chinese presence, friendship with countries like Morocco, is needed to strengthen India’s own position on the geopolitical stage.